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Re: Obama to business owners: "You didn't build that." [W:417]

Originally Posted by Hare

Fairly vague statement, they would most likely alter their business practices to circumvent such obstacles.

Functionally equivalent.

No, but that's not the point here. The government has to act as a middle man in certain situations where private companies simply aren't capable of fulfilling said role. Think of the railroads built in the 1800's, and the millions of dollars of subsidies that enabled private companies to accomplish such a task, the prospect of private entities collecting the massive amount of capital to even attempt such an endeavor would be bleak at best, or alternative energy in the present day. Many companies rely heavily on government subsidies and grants in order to undergo research for future implementation. Often times, the government is the only entity that can fill this void.

I'm not a libertarian, I'm not saying there there is not inter-dependency. In my opinion, the greater necessity of govt is in the limiting of business and the avoidance of wreckless behaviors that would endanger the common man and the environment. That being said, to state that "You didn't build that!" shows a blatant disrespect for American ingenuity and entrepreneurial endeavor. Business very well would exist without govt, and has; govt would not exist without business.

Re: Obama to business owners: "You didn't build that." [W:417]

Originally Posted by mac

That being said, to state that "You didn't build that!" shows a blatant disrespect for American ingenuity and entrepreneurial endeavor. Business very well would exist without govt, and has; govt would not exist without business.

Only if you blatantly misinterpret what he actually said.

"The necessaries of life occasion the great expense of the poor. They find it difficult to get food, and the greater part of their little revenue is spent in getting it. The luxuries and vanities of life occasion the principal expense of the rich, and a magnificent house embellishes and sets off to the best advantage all the other luxuries and vanities which they possess. ... It is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion."

Re: Obama to business owners: "You didn't build that." [W:417]

Originally Posted by mac

Functionally equivalent.

I'm not a libertarian, I'm not saying there there is not inter-dependency. In my opinion, the greater necessity of govt is in the limiting of business and the avoidance of wreckless behaviors that would endanger the common man and the environment. That being said, to state that "You didn't build that!" shows a blatant disrespect for American ingenuity and entrepreneurial endeavor. Business very well would exist without govt, and has; govt would not exist without business.

Re: Obama to business owners: "You didn't build that." [W:417]

Originally Posted by Harshaw

You may be wanting to move the goalposts, but the fact is, I live on a road (a road, not just some extension) which was built and paid for by business. The same business also laid all of the power and sewer -- at their own expense.

This is quite common. That you don't know this isn't my problem.

If you're talking about private roads then it's you who are moving the goal posts. The fact that you don't know what this thread is about or what we've been discussing for the last 50 or 60 pages is your problem. I suspect thats quite common too.

Re: Obama to business owners: "You didn't build that." [W:417]

Originally Posted by Moot

Okay, except the government makes the decisions, does the planning, buys the land grants and decides which business will do the building. In short, without government, business isn't going to build the road.

This is where you are wrong, and the reason why bloated government is unnecessary. All those decisions are made by AASHTO (a private organization)...then the FHWA (government) nods its head in agreement for multiple billions of wasted dollars. I bet you didn't know that. There is hardly a proper role for government other than lawmakers approving overall plans.

Re: Obama to business owners: "You didn't build that." [W:417]

Originally Posted by AdamT

Only if you blatantly misinterpret what he actually said.

No, it's verbatim what he said. Many are exaggerating the impact of the statement, but he did state it. He plainly said If you are successful, it's because "we" helped you. Leading one to believe that if "we" didn't help you, you would not be successful, because working hard and "being smart" is not enough. Apparently govt picks and chooses who is to be successful and who is not. Personally, it's that part of it that pisses me off. Why hasn't Obama made me a multi-million dollar business to be an executive of? Why hasn't he made one for you? Or for the guy sleeping under a bridge?